JoshK

Why? So I can see sensationalism and lies from other perspectives too? As much as we bitch about our media, it's a hellavu lot less propoganda driven as most all foreign media. It's definitely good to check out the other sources, but realize that a good portion of what is fed through there is government crap. This whole thing is just so sad. I'm just wondering for how many years we'll be bit in the ass thanks to shrub's actions.

Umm..yeah, I don't like seeing innocent kids getting killed, guess i'm a sorry ass.. Dipshit.

Maybe if you're really lucky "your" bomb kill some poor iraqi kid too, eh?

I'm glad to see somebody else realize that shrub isn't the brilliant military tactition that everybody gave him credit for. Spouting of your war plans is idiotic and never a good idea. The whole bullshit with we are going to "shock and awe" them and show them who's boss, and they'll never know what hit them was idiotc. In the mean time the fully underestimated the number of those idiots that would back up the army. I mean, even a ruthless dictator looks good opposed to some outside force invading your homeland. honestly, as sick as it is, the best thing that could happen for shrub & co. right now would be for the iraqis to attempt to make an attempt at chemical warfare. FWIW, that would get the world more pissed at saddam again instead of him.

Yeah, I've found this pretty suspect. Proof of chemical suits doesn't mean they have the weapons or are going to use them. Maybe, maybe not. Hmm...by that rational, I guess the US and GB are gonna use chemical weapons.

I think he was referring to the climbing budget, not the park's budget as a whole.

Yeah, probably not the best weekend for it. That plateau isn't the most fun place to be in stormy weather. Also, if nobody has gone up there since the most recent snowfall and you have to break trail the entire way, that will really slow things down as well. I think the trail up to the lake gets used fairly frequently in the winter, so even if nobody has tried the route in a while, you can generally find a moderately packed trail up to the north end of the lake

screw it, I'm just gonna napalm the crag. that'll fix the poison ivy, tick and mossy crack problems all at once. I figure the burnt look will blend in around there.

yeah, ivan and i were up there earlier this month. it's snowed a bunch since then, however. conditions might still be fine, considering we did it a week after a large snowfall and we found it deep but stable and consolidated. it still made for fun climbing.

LOL...no thanks. talk about hell on earth.

posers? gustav's is always just full of tourons when I am there. So, about these ticks. should I be worried? is there any way to ward them off? I'd like to go to leavenworth soon, but now everybody has me scared. I guess i've never been aware before so I haven't noticed.

It could be worse, they were talking about having the annual pass go up to $50 or some such. At least this way the pepole who come and climb from out of town once on the dog routes pay as much as we pay for an entire season.

I'm with ya man. If you ever need a gustav n' 11worth lover let me know. Not to mention the scenery is definitely better than your average crag.

Nah, if catbird was just looking to fit in he'd become a flaming right winger!

RUnning down a trail is actually quite a muscle workout too. I can get myself quite sore by running down the entire length of that mount si trail.

Holy crap that is funny. It makes a good read. "I have a confession to make. When I first saw the bolt on Pipeline from the incredible belay stance of Fray Ends... I was disgusted. I vowed then and there to spit on it as I went past. But now, seeing the hanger come to Papa, I pretty much slaughtered the finest lamb and threw a party." "Anyway. I'm sure all the hardmen out there would shake their head at the thought of using a whole roll of tape in a single ascent of any route. Fortunately, I didn't have to push my way through a crowd of hardmen to reach the base of the route. "

Damn, you serious? Jim climbs!? Yeah, for a newbie, talking to somebody who knows their shit is going to save them much time and hassle.

Baker amazes me. a very light front pushed through last night and baker still dragged 8 inches out of it.

Yes, definitely, I should have made that clear. In the case mentioned, however, I would gladly take the extra point of failure added by the draw (which I would consider unlikely to fail) over the possibility of a biner getting stuck up in a bolt hanger and loaded in some strange way.

Well, I definitely wouldn't clip one biner to another as you suggest. I also wouldn't do what the guide did either, but I can't think of a very specific reason not to, just that it doesn't sound like the greatest idea. I could possible see the biner getting heavily crossloaded in the bolt hanger if it jimmies itself around in some way and then takes a load. More than anything, I believe a short draw gives an added piece of safety that I'm more than happy to have.

No, but I ended up settling on a middle-ground in terms of weight finally. The heavy packs sucked, but the really light ones simply felt heavier cause they carried like shit or lacked featuers I wanted. All and all, arcteryx makes some decent packs at a reasonable weight. They *are* too expensive tho. Another thing to consider is everybody feels different in different packs. Just 'cause arcteryx fits me doesn't mean it will fit somebody else.

No, I didn't, in fact, know that. Do you remember what issue it was? I would be interested in seeing it.

Do you know if the ice is still in good shape? I know it's been mighty warm there during the days for the past few weeks.